Savvy Students
November Newsletter for Wyman/Holden Library
End of Semester One
November brings the end of the first Semester and already it feels like the year is flying by. Maybe that is because we have been so busy. From blogging to Vokis, to Green screen and Spark Video, everyone has been getting their tech on!
Is there anything cuter than a Kindergarten student excited about learning? I don't think so. These are a few pictures of my K class enjoying partnering on the chromebooks. They were exploring Starfall for the first time from the library Early Learning page. And speaking of firsts, Second graders tried out their Google logins, and joined Google Classroom for the first time too.
Cheetahs
First Grade Fact Checkers
First grade students are finishing up a project comparing fact and fiction. The facts were found in nonfiction text and students learned to give credit to their sources. The fiction statements are a work of the lively imagination of six year olds. Enjoy more examples on my Fact or Fiction website page. The videos were created using Adobe Spark, one of my favorite video creators for little ones.
Sixth Grade Bloggers
After working hard on their book reviews this semester, (finding author websites, creating hashtags, and crediting pictures), sixth grade students are beginning to reap the reward of sharing their writing with the world. MrsCastroStudentsLovetoRead blog showcases their writing and gives them an opportunity to engage in a conversation with fellow students in a safe, monitored environment.
Third Grade Practices Internet Safety
Third graders have gotten a few Internet safety lessons under their belts with the help of the Three Little Pigs. The Three Cyber Pigs that is, from Media Smarts, Canada's Center for Digital and Media Literacy. "The purpose of the game is to teach kids how to spot online marketing strategies, protect their personal information and avoid online predators."
Voki Avatar Book Talks
Fourth grade students have practiced their technology, reading and writing skills, and combined them all together to present their learning in creative Voki Avatars. An example is found below, but there are many more embedded on my 4th Grade Voki library page.
5th Grade Animoto Videos Coming Soon!
Fifth grade students have been working on storyboards, and gathering information to create book trailers using Animoto that will include green screen videos of scene reenactments. It's a lot to put together, but I'm confident we'll have some stars for the next newsletter.
Accidental Death
I joined forces with Mr. Keaney, sixth grade Wyman teacher, to give his students an opportunity to videotape with my equipment and the library green screen. Student groups created skits in their classroom reflecting what they were learning in history and then signed up for Open Library time to come to the library and perform. More finished projects are up on the Moments In Time library page. We are all looking forward to the next taping session as they move on to Ancient Egypt!
Tara Castro - Library Media Specialist
Website: http://mrscastroslibrary.weebly.com/
Location: Wyman Elementary School, Columbia Avenue, Warwick, RI, United States
Phone: 401-734-3180
Twitter: @MrsCastro2